Antifungal plant proteins and method of inhibiting fungal growth with carbohydrate oxidising activity and DNA coding sequences thereof

摘要

An isolated protein and DNA sequence with antifungal activity, more specifically anti-Phytophthora activity and/or anti-Pythium activity and a molecular weight of about 55-65 kDa as judged by SDS PAGE-electrophoresis, obtainable from a plant source. The isolated DNA sequence comprises an open reading frame which is capable of encoding a protein depicted in SEQ ID NO. 16, SEQ ID NO. 57, SEQ ID NO. 70, SEQ ID NO. 72 or SEQ ID NO. 74 or muteins thereof, and DNA which is capable of hybridising therewith under stringent conditions. The invention further comprises plants incorporating chimeric DNA capable of encoding a protein according to the invention, and wherein the protein is expressed. Also shown is the carbohydrate and preferably hexose oxidating activity of said protein. Also methods are provided for combating fungi, especially Phytophthora and Pythium species, using a protein or a host cell capable of producing the protein.